1. freeing from slavery or servitude; granting freedom to an enslaved person
Usage: historical; often used in legal or formal contexts
2. granting the right to vote or political rights to a person or group
Usage: formal; political
3. freeing from a restriction, obligation, or burden
Usage: formal; less common

Examples

• The proclamation was affranchising enslaved people throughout the territory.
• The new constitution was affranchising women by granting them voting rights.
• The law affranchising merchants from excessive taxation boosted commerce.
• By affranchising the serfs, the lord transformed the social structure of his estate.
• The reform movement advocated for affranchising all citizens regardless of property ownership.
• The treaty affranchising the colony from foreign control was celebrated as a victory.
• Affranchising the workforce from outdated regulations improved productivity.